Why Worry About Veteran Services at Columbia College - Chicago?

Colleges that are considered a good choice for veterans offer support for veterans and on-campus services. These programs ensure that you have the most successful experience at Columbia College - Chicago as both a student and a veteran.

For Veterans, Columbia College - Chicago Falls in the Middle of the Pack

According to the VA, there
are 160 Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® recipients
at Columbia College - Chicago.
Note, this figure does not include any active duty military personnel that are attending this college via Tuition Assistance,
so the total military population is potentially larger than this.

Why Does Size Matter?

A large number of veterans attending a college means the college and faculty are more used to supporting and accommodating the needs of veterans.

Federal Program Participation

Several federally funded groups set standards for colleges educating service members. Columbia College - Chicago participates in
two
of them.
Involvement in these programs plays a key role in helping us determine how good an option a college is for veterans.

Principles of Excellence

DOD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Vet Success on Campus (VSOC)

Eight Keys

What does all this mean to me?
Below you can view the specific commitments this school has made by participating in individual programs:

Career and Vocational Support

Accommodate Service Members and Reservists absent due to service requirements.

POE

Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the administration of federal student financial aid programs.

Benefits Support

Will not use fraudulent or aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentations.

POE

Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education program.

POE

Counseling Support

Referrals to community organizations as needed

MOU

Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advice.

POE

Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.

POE

Credit for Military Experience

Credit For Military Training

ACE

Accepts ACE Credits

ACE

Accepts Credits by Exam (i.e. CLEP, DSST, ECE)

ACE

Credit for Other Experience

Advanced Placement

AP

Life Experiences

Appeal, Appeal, Appeal

Don't accept a credit decision like it is an order from your commander that must be followed.
There is usually a process at most colleges to appeal any transfer credit acceptance decision.
If you can convince the school that your previous class is similar enough to a class at their school you can often get them to change their decision.
Spending an hour or so doing that can save an entire semester's worth of work and money.

Additional Credit Considerations

Questions you may want to ask the admissions department.

What is your policy for accepting transfer credits from other colleges?

Who determines the relevance of prior courses to courses offered here and their applicability to my intended major?

What is your process for appealing initial transfer decisions I don't agree with?

Which nationally accredited colleges do you accept credits from?

Campus Resources for Veterans

Veteran Services Office

Student Veterans of America (SVA)

The SVA provides military veterans with resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and post-graduation at over 990 campuses world-wide.Learn more

Additional Considerations

Questions you may want to ask the admissions department.

Do you have a full time VA employee on campus? If so, how do I contact them?